Intel picks up Havok for $21M

Intel Quad: Viiv and Havok support.

Thanks for framing it for our gamer minds. It makes all the difference when we specifically know how this will affect us.

didnt know hl2 was made with same engine as bioshock, i thought bioshock was using UT3

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 will support physic windows and menus.

This is middleware. It can be attached to any well designed engine. UT3 and the Source engine can employ havok. The halo games used the engine.

I think this bodes well for physics performance on multi core systems. No doubt intel will push to make havok use multi core chips very effectively.

This is probably bad news for Ageia.

Ah, this is good news. Tighter physics integration for my lovely upcoming Intel computers.

This is sending ripples throughout the industry.

Actually, this might have a little more far-reaching impact than indicated. In particular, Intel is currently competing with AMD. Can you imagine if all the games listed above are only 'certified' to run on Intel chips?

While this certainly leaves me questions in regards to anti-trust laws, Intel has an image of using their siginficant muscle to manipulate the market. If the chip maker is also the one signing the checks for software development...even if it's middle-ware...you wonder how much support that subsidiary will give to AMD?

I'm kind of surprised that Intel would want to acquire this, although $110 mil is a drop in the bucket for them. It definitely leads to issues where there can be a conflict of interest. As a gamer I prefer to use Intel chips in my PC's, however competition keeps the prices down and I would rather Intel not bully AMD out of the market or we will all suffer. The only thing I can think of that might be positive is that the Havok engine could be optimized for Intel's Duo and Quad Core chips, but that's about all I can come up with.

Sad face for Ageia. With Intel backing it, looks like the Havok phis tools are going to become the standard...I liked that Ageia allowed anyone to use their tools and made it avalible to the masses...

I wonder if they can make their card will work with the Havok engine...but I suspect we are going to see some built in hardware from Intel to counter that and work just for Havok. This is going to get stupid if they don't work together.

oh dear, i hate all this merging and conglomerating going on...

Switchball, especially when it hits XBLA, should give AGEIA a boost. However, they're going to be forced to cut prices to entice people to use it over Havoc now, especially with possible future Intel chips that are optimized for Havoc.